#HonorsProblems: How to Get Over That Post-Midterm Drag

The following blog post was written by Peer Advisor Melanie, a junior studying political science and international affairs. 
So, midterms are winding down. You’ve been stressed out for weeks. Hours and hours in Gelman and cups and cups of coffee. You’ve taken two midterms on one day and turned in those three papers that you had due all at once. And its finally over. What now?
We at GW have a knack for doing the most. We strive to be the best. And while being able to thrive under pressure may be a great asset, we sometimes forget how to relax. The stress of midterms can be overwhelming at times, and when were done with them we can find ourselves in a sort of limbo, waiting for the next exam or project, instead of taking the time we have off to just breathe. This is the time of year that we decide to join another club since we have some extra time, or pick up that extra project.
If there is anything that I have learned in the last couple of years, its how to multi-task. But on top of that, I have begun to learn how to take advantage of the minute I have to relax when I can. I say “begun” because even as a junior, I struggle with this. My Honors mindset always has me searching for the next opportunity and next way to rise above the competition. Us honors kids are professional over-achievers. Freshman year I stressed about everything and anything, and even when I had nothing going on, I was stressing about a future project that hadn’t even been assigned yet.

So I challenge you, in this time between midterms and finals, to take a weekend (or even a week if you’re feeling bold) and do something that you’ve been wanting to do but just “haven’t had the time”. Go to that movie you’ve been dying to see. Go to that restaurant across town that everyone’s been raving about. Lay in bed and take that three-hour nap you’ve been pushing off since you got here. Its time to take some time for YOU. Treat yourself. I promise that when you wake up from that nap or get back from that trip, everything will be just as you left it and you’ll be able to pick up where you left off, with a much clearer head. Some quality R&R can do an immeasurable amount of goodness in the long term. It brings us back to reality as we step back and evaluate what we’ve got going on in our lives. Trust me, you’ll enjoy college much more once you begin to take a breather.